67. Mr. ERSKINEasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many of the principal London streets are now under repair during the most crowded period of the year; and whether he can see his way to impress upon the local authorities the desirability of relegating such work to the autumn and winter?
§ Colonel ASHLEYSection 4 of the London Traffic Act empowers me, after consultation with the London Traffic Advisory Committee, to draw up schemes prescribing the times during which works of road maintenance and improvement in the London traffic area are to be commenced and the order in which they are to be executed. The first scheme, covering the six months from 1st April to 30th September, has already been approved. In drawing up these schemes full regard is had to the requirements of traffic, and to the other considerations urged by my hon. Friend. He will appreciate, however, that there are other factors to be borne in mind, such as weather conditions and hours of daylight, which have a material bearing on the question of cost
Mr. ERSKINEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Victoria Street has been under repair now for six weeks, at very great inconvenience to the whole of London?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe question the hon. Member refers is as to working in summer or in winter. I have pointed out that it is not possible to do it all in the winter because of the cost
§ 71. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Minister of Transport whether. in view of the traffic over the leading London streets, he will use every endeavour to see that the work of repair is carried out wherever practicable in full relay shifts. during a 24hour day and so give employment to as many men as possible, and reduce to a minimum the inconvenience to traders and the public generally?
§ Colonel ASHLEYIn giving effect to the provisions of Section 4 of the London Traffic Act every endeavour has been, and will be, made to arrange, wherever practicable, that road works in the principal London streets are carried out continuously by day and night. Certain work, as for example, the breaking up of cement, can not, however, be carried out at night save in very exceptional circumstances. The road and other authorities concerned have readily cooperated. I may instance as examples the cases of Westminster Bridge and of Victoria Street, where the London County Council and the Westminster City Council respectively agreed that the work should be carried on continuously. In addition, other arrangements, such as the use of quick-setting cement, have been adopted whenever possible in order to minimise the inconvenience to traffic
§ Sir H. BRITTAINCould not that very excellent practice which is carried out continuously in Victoria Street be applied elsewhere? The cost is surely infinitesimal compared with the great benefit to industry
§ Colonel ASHLEYMy hon. Friend must remember that people like to go to sleep at night.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINDo people want to go to sleep in other places more than in Victoria Street
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for argument